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Artist Geoffrey Myers sculpts a female figure Saturday at the STOUTHOUSE booth during the fourth annual Celebrate the Arts Festival at Riverside Park in Vero Beach. The free festival featured arts activities, cultural demonstrations and live performances along with opportunities to meet individual artists, authors and speakers. To see more photos, go to TCPalm.com.
CQ: Geoffrey Myers JEREMIAH WILSON/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS

For Michael Baxter, Jan. 8 will be a different kind of opening night at Riverside Theatre. As an actor, he played Rusty Charlie, a crapshooter in "Guys and Dolls" in 2011, but this time he’ll be on the other side of the curtain.

Baxter is an associate director and associate choreographer for "Evita," the next big show on the Riverside schedule, leading into Vero Beach’s centennial year.

As producing artistic associate of The Muny, an historic theater in St. Louis, Missouri, Baxter will be doubling the fireworks as that venue marks the beginning of its own second century.

Audiences’ familiarity with a show as well known as "Evita" can be a mixed blessing, he said. “In many ways working on a popular show is more difficult in the fact that audiences come into the production with certain expectations.”

Baxter explained that in working on a revival, especially a concept musical such as "Evita," requires everyone "immerse themselves back into the author’s original intent and then start over from scratch.” They also have to figure out how to present the story effectively for today’s audience.

That’s the thrill of directing a revival, he said,“daring to ask the unknown questions and breathing new life into already existing text.”

Baxter said tackling "Evita" is simultaneously thrilling and daunting and will be “theatrically surprising."

The show, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, opened on Broadway in 1979 with Mandy Patinkin as Che Gueverra and Patti LuPone as Eva Peron. It had 11 nominations and won seven Tony Awards. "Evita" will be at Riverside Theatre Jan. 8-27.

Opening during the "Evita" run is "Next to Normal," a Second Stage production on the Waxlax stage. The modern-day musical runs Jan. 22-Feb. 10. (riversidetheatre.com)

More festivities

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The arts community is gearing up for the Cultural Council of Indian River County’s Celebrate the Arts festivities 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Jan. 5 in Riverside Park. There’s an interesting and welcome change this year.

Vero Beach Museum of Art and Riverside Theatre have always been a big part of the celebration but for the first time the action will take place for the most part on the Riverside Theatre campus. (Does anyone remember the year the park was more lake than grass?)

This is a big family day for mingling with the music and art organizations as well as individual artists, musicians and authors that provide us with entertainment and inspiration all year. This free family festival will include arts activities, cultural demonstrations and live performances throughout the day.(cultural-council.org)

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Barbara and David McKenna share a kiss on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 in front of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson inspired by the iconic photograph taken in New York City when the end of World War II was announced. The sculpture will be the centerpiece of an exhibition of 20 sculptures from Johnson's 'Celebrating the Familiar' series at McKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. "We had an exhibition by Seward Johnson five years ago and it was the most requested exhibit to come back to the Garden," said Christine Hobart, executive director of McKee. "The pieces are so real and life-like that I think it appeals to every visitor." The large sculpture will be on display for the public on Wednesday, Dec. 12 and the 20 life-size sculptures will be on display Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019 PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

The installation of 'Embracing Peace', a 25-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson, began Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at KcKee Botanical Garden in Indian River County. The sculpture will be part of an exhibition of Johnson's 20-piece 'Celebrating the Familiar' series that will be open to the public on Jan. 5 through April 28, 2019. PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM

This weekend

Christmas is a few short days away, but there are still plenty of holiday activities to get you in the spirit of the season.

This weekend McKee Botanical Garden is going all out with the annual Holidays at McKee 6-8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The great 1924 Wurlitzer band organ is very popular for some visitors while others head for the model train countryside or the Department 56 holiday village. Mr. and Mrs. Santa will be there for photo ops, of course. (www.mckeegarden.org)

The Grand Hall is decorated for the holidays as part of the "Nights of Lights" at McKee Botanical Garden, which opens Dec. 20 for members only and is open to the public Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30. J. Patrick Rice Images/For Luminaries

This Gingerbread House is part of the "Nights of Lights" at McKee Botanical Garden, which opens to the public Dec. 21-23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and continues Dec. 28-30 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. J. Patrick Rice Images/For Luminaries

King’s Baptist Church on 58th Avenue in Vero Beach has a different Christmas offering, Christmas 1944: Bastogne. Visit https://www.christmas1944.com for dates, times and details. Final tours are Dec. 23.

Willi Miller writes about Indian River County. Contact her at caribsea@bellsouth.net.